Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock Embodies Hip Hop at Its Core
From Hip Hop and Spoken Word to sharing knowledge through mentorship, Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock embodies Hip Hop’s essence of positivity and empowerment
When it comes to Hip Hop, Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock isn't just another artist; he's a true force. A multi-faceted music artist, poet, actor, and more with over 15 years in the game, he pours love, dedication, and commitment into his craft and community.
Born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia, Hancock’s early life was steeped in local culture, from visits to Mr. Perry’s Anwil store to soaking in diverse music genres via WTOY Radio at his grandmother's home. His stage name, "Harvest Blaque," gifted by his best friend Robert Miller Cox, signifies his optimistic nature—planting positive thoughts in others—and his identity as a Black man and unique individual.
As a musician, Hancock’s sound blends Indie Hip Hop with Spoken Word poetry, effortlessly creating authentically melodic and uplifting tracks. The first EP to showcase his unique style, "The Mind Scrub” dropped in 2021, while Hancock’s most recent LP, "The Care Package" was released in 2024 to widespread acclaim from industry peers. His talent has led to multiple collaborations with artists across different genres, in addition to him performing at festivals and events throughout the DMV and North Carolina.
In his day-to-day life, Bryan is an Activity Tech and artist for Carilion Adjunct Therapy, where he empowers adolescent youth to discover their voices through music and poetry. He also co-hosted the Hip Hop Lab Outworld Fleet Radio Show, sharing knowledge and emphasizing mentorship. Hancock’s creative process often involves driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where he finds inspiration for his writing, listening to everything from Bach to Hip Hop.
Hancock’s impact extends beyond his individual pursuits as a host of Soul Sessions, an open-mic poetry show, which he helped launch six years ago. The much needed platform fosters community, where individuals can courageously bond and share their stories. Actually, the platform has been so successful, that it’s expanded to Soul Sessions Junior for younger poets.
Influenced by his mother's unwavering faith and resilience, Hancock believes in facing challenges head-on and letting a higher power guide the rest. His advice to his younger self—"You aren’t meant to fit in, so stop trying. The mistakes in your life don’t define you."—encapsulates his philosophy of continuous growth and self-acceptance.
For Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock, genuine passion and a desire for positive change are the cornerstones of building a healthy community, a principle he embodies in every part of his multifaceted career. His Top Community Award and a Perry F. Kendig Award nomination are just icing on the cake.
